engleski

The role of mental health in the cycle of sexual violence among Croatian adolescents: A longitudinal exploration with replication

The “cycle of violence” perspective links victimization with later violent behavior based on the notion that experiencing violence makes it a legitimate method to resolve conflict. While the association between victimization and aggression is relatively established, the mechanisms involved in the “cycle of violence” are less understood. The current study considers the role of mental health and delinquency on the pathway between sexual victimization and sexual aggression in two independent longitudinal samples of Croatian adolescents (Mage at baseline = 16 yrs). Using data from the first panel (six data waves, 2015- 2018 ; n = 1, 289), structural equation modeling analysis pointed to a psychosocial mechanism, a combination of negative mood and delinquency, that mediated the link between the experience of sexual victimization and self-reported sexual aggression. We also observed a role of family environment in this psychosocial mechanism. The pattern of findings replicated in the second panel with five data waves (2015-2017 ; n = 750). The current study’s results are important for conversations around designing policies to prevent and address peer sexual violence. Despite resistance to evidence-based sexual education in Croatia, educating high school students about sexual violence and its consequences is critical to ensuring their well-being.

mental health ; sexual violence ; sexual victimization ; adolescents ; longitudinal study

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